Who do I want to advertise?

 A few months ago I put up a "sponsor" button. My intention was to sell ad space here at The Child. And although I haven't been overwhelmed with responses, I have received several solicitations that made me really wonder what I wanted for this blog. If you take a look at my prices, you'll see that, obviously, I'm not trying to make a boatload of cash. But I thought, well, since my blog is steadily growing, I might as well use the space to advertise for some retailers I believe in. Then when the only offers coming in were companies that didn't fit the profile, voice or content of my blog, I let those people know I wasn't interested.

Last week my vision became clearer. My friend Erin who is getting married next month (ahhh!!!!) was ecstatic about some online shopping she's been doing for her wedding and asked me if I'd heard of Etsy. Yes!! She said she couldn't believe the beautiful custom products she'd been finding (wedding veil, jewelry, hair accessories) at amazing prices, all unique and handcrafted. Erin's been stunned by the personal service and caring that these retailers put into her orders - some from as faraway as California.

So although I was waffling a bit on whether or not to just take the tab down, feeling a bit defeated that no quality merchants were approaching me, my friend clarified things for me. I want to sell ad space to the hardworking artisans who may or may not have an Etsy shop. I want to support industrious stay-at-home moms (and dads!) like Valerie and T Rex Mom who lovingly and passionately create beautiful things because - well it brings them joy.

Also and completely unrelated - it never gets easier cutting this kid's hair. Clearly he gets his hair-growing genes from me (sorry Shaune - but he does!); at three, he's had it chopped at least seven times. But it's this refusal to let go that comes with motherhood which brings me to tears every time. And then when he walks in the door, and I see all of his beautiful face, my heart swoons and I could just cry again.

Email me if you or someone you know wants to buy some very reasonably priced ad space here. My contact info can be found in the tabs up top.